6 things to do with pumpkins in Chicago

Carving that same old jack-o-lantern can start to get a little old, so check out our picks for alternative pumpkin activities.

Carving that same old jack-o-lantern can start to get a little old, so check out our picks for alternative pumpkin activities.

Smash them

To be fair, this one's more like "watch pumpkins getsmashed." The ever-so-creepy "Pumpkin Executioner" ceremoniallydemolishes one pumpkin every half-hour, and he's got a whole scaryroutine to go along with it. Just try not to picture a guillotinewhile you're watching.

You can spice up pumpkin carving by heading to the GreatHighwood Pumpkin Fest, where they're planning to makepumpkin-carving history. Last year, the 30,919 lit pumpkins brokethe Guinness World Record, and they're hoping to one-up themselvesin 2012. Bring your own carved pumpkin or carve a pre-scooped oneat the fest.

Pumpkin rolling might seem like the ultimate lazy person'scompetition, but we have a feeling it's harder than it sounds. Tryto pick out a perfectly round pumpkin, then see how far it goeswith just one roll. Each roll is only $1 (and benefits the localBoy Scout troop), so we'll understand if you try over and over andover.

If you get a rush from seeing a perfectly shaped pumpkinshattered into a million pieces, this event's for you-even thoughit's a long drive downstate. Adults and kids build machines to hurlpumpkins through the air, and then watch them come crashing down.Spectators are welcome, too, if you don't want to bother withphysics.